Course Content and Outcome Guide for FR 261A Effective Winter 2017

Course Description

Continuation of FR 260A. Prerequisites: WR 115, RD 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement test scores. Recommended: Completion of two terms of second year French at the college level or instructor permission. Audit available.

Addendum to Course Description

FR 261A is designed to provide advanced students of French with the opportunity to study French culture and to increase their skills in listening, reading, speaking, and vocabulary usage. The course is offered for three transfer credit hours per term and counts in the distribution requirements for the AA degree and as a general education requirement for other associate degrees.

Intended Outcomes for the course

Increased knowledge of contemporary French culture

Improved speaking, reading and writing skills through student practice (A generally sound foundation in grammar and vocabulary is assumed, and grammar will not be the subject of the course. French will be used at all times.)

Recognizes and approaches cultural differences with respect and open-mindedness

Outcome Assessment Strategies

Student attendance and participation will be appraised to determine improvement in cultural awareness, oral skills and preparation and comprehension of assignments

Contextual written tasks (in or outside of class) to assess reading, writing, cultural and aural competencies

Individual and/or group presentations which may contain audio or visual components

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

COURSE CONTENT: THEMES, CONCEPTS AND ISSUES Includes some or most of the following:

General overview of French history including geographical, historical, political, and literary developments that influenced French culture

The geography of France and its relevance to French culture and economy (includes food)

Paris and Ile de France: its role in historical and contemporary French culture

Regions and Provinces of France

Languages and dialects of France

Immigrants in France

French families

French politics

Work and leisure in France

French media

French education

French behavior, customs and body language

French views of American culture

COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS:

Recognizes basic cultural differences

Demonstrates understanding of relevant cultural and social issues in contemporary French society